Sylvia Thorpe: Torrington Chase

1968 is the publication date for Torrington Chase by Sylvia Thorpe. A regency romance, it is about Perdita, the governess at Torrington Chase who is told not to have any contact with Jason Hawkesworth, a relative with a secret of his own!

Allan Kass illustrates this remote estate on a cliff top in a desolate land. Our couple embrace on a hillside and seem to be in love with each other. The heroine's striped dress and matching bonnet are pretty. This picture embodies the wildness of the countryside.

Sylvia Thorpe: Sword of Vengeance

Sword of Vengeance, published around 1975, is the story of Verity Halland who had been kidnapped by Dominic Fane in a desperate love triangle set in the days of Charles the Second.

Allan Kass shows our restoration couple on the bank of a stream where they have stopped to rest. It's a shame we can't see more detail of the couple but they are dressed in the dark heavy clothing of the day while we note the horse in the background. I like the rocks and weeds of the stream which are detail most would omit. 

Sylvia Thorpe: The Sword and the Shadow

The Sword and the Shadow by Sylvia Thorpe was published by Fawcett in the mid 1970's. No paperback publication date is given. Lady Frances is fleeing England and her cousin so she takes passage with Captain Barbican, who has sworn to protect her. They sail to adventure in the West Indies!

Allan Kass illustrated a few covers of the sea and ships and this one is romantic with the hero holding the heroine while he stands to defend his ship. Note the detail of both vessels where you see how fine an artist Kass really was! I love the heroine's flowing hair and simple dress while the hero looks like a pirate himself!

Sylvia Thorpe: The Silver Nightingale

The Silver Nightingale was published by Fawcett in October 1974. This is a 1989 reprint. Lord Chayle proposed to Sarah Lorymer because he thought she would make a sensible, well bred wife. What he didn't realize was that she was hopelessly in love with him!

This is a favorite cover by Allan Kass. I like it because it's reminiscent of one of my favorite cities: Charleston, SC. Our hero and heroine stand inside a walled garden or courtyard. The heroine's white dress is plain but pretty and she looks in love as the hero bends to kiss her.

Sylvia Thorpe: The Scarlet Domino

The Scarlet Domino was published in November 1975 by Fawcett and is a Georgian romance. Antonia and Geraint are forced into marriage by her grandfather for revenge of an ancient murder.

Allan Kass shows our couple on the balcony overlooking a maze or garden. Dressed for a masquerade, they have stepped outside for a breath of air in the twilight. The heroine's hair is powdered and she wears a pretty gown of blue with a gold underdress. The hero's gold waistcoat echos her outfit.

Sylvia Thorpe: Rogue's Covenant

Rogue's Covenant by Sylvia Thorpe was published in the mid 1970's and is a romance set in the mid 1700's. Joanna was intrigued by the stranger visiting from Barbados and ecstatic when he proposed to her! However, he isn't what he seems to be and will lead her into scandal before all is well.

Allan Kass depicts a typical Georgian couple sitting outside on a summer day. The hero is enchanted with the heroine, who is elegant in a flowing golden dress. We see a modest house behind them and it's a very romantic picture.

Sylvia Thorpe: The House at Bell Orchard

The House at Bell Orchard was published in December 1979 by Fawcett and is a Georgian story about Charmain Tarrent who suddenly becomes an orphan and has to live with a greedy uncle and his son. However, Sir Piers Wychwood, a neighbor, is interested in this new beauty!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside on the grounds of a beautiful estate. The heroine wears a purple gown that is almost too heavy and fussy for her frame. The hero is handsome in rust and orange. It's interesting to see the difference in fashion from the mid 1700's to the regency times of 1810!

Sylvia Thorpe: The Highwayman

The Highwayman was published by Fawcett around 1976. Thorpe gives us another story set in the turbulent times of England's Civil War where a desperate highwayman named Colonel Fury ruled the flatlands of Hounslow Heath and a girl named Rowena is determined to find her brother with the help of this desperado!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple sitting in a bar with our heroine acting as a barmaid possibly to fool the man entering the door. Her outfit is typically countrified but note her earrings and bracelets! The hero is resplendent in gold and lace and has a look of Hugh Grant from his Barbara Cartland movie day!

Sylvia Thorpe: A Flash of Scarlet

A Flash of Scarlet was published in 1976 by Fawcett and is the sequel to Fair Shines the Day. Major Bradwell saved Imelda from two drunk men at an inn. She was on her way to visit her cousin Charity and the major was a man her family wouldn't approve as a spouse.

Allan Kass creates an intimate picture of our couple with her brushing her hair as he enters the room. She is a lovely Kass heroine while the hero looks the soldier in his armor and bearing. Note the heavy wood detail which gives a feel of an old rustic building.

Sylvia Thorpe: Fair Shines the Day

Fair Shines the Day was published around 1977 by Fawcett for author Sylvia Thorpe. Fawcett was publishing a lot of historical and regency romances at this time and would have a named series a few years later.

This story features Charity and is set during England's Civil War. She is in love with her neighbor Darrell Conyngton who soon leaves for war. Unfortunately his jealous cousin shows up and plots to take over his home and future wife!

Allan Kass shows our couple seated outside but having a sweeping view of the countryside. Our heroine is pretty in her blue gown while the hero looks like a gallant from the days of Charles I! I like the slit sleeves both wear and the colors of the sky.

Sylvia Thorpe: The Changing Tide

The Changing Tide by Sylvia Thorpe was published by Fawcett around 1977, having earlier been published in a hardcover version. The beautiful Roxanne was determined to follow her love to Barbados but never realized the danger and excitement that would happen on the voyage!

Allan Kass gives us a cover ready for action as we see our hero prepared to defend himself against the villain in black. Our heroine is pleading with him, looking very pretty while she does so. I hope you'll enjoy this very different cover illustration by Kass!

Sylvia Thorpe: Captain Gallant

Captain Gallant by Sylvia Thorpe was published in February 1976. It is the story of Christina Westlake whose uncle had stolen her inheritance but she had a plan to get back her estate with the help of Captain Adrian Clare!

This is a very pretty cover by Allan Kass. I like the Georgian clothing which is a bit fuller and fussier than the later Regency styles. Our heroine's dress is low cut but very full skirted. The hero's cravet and cuffs are real lace! I also like seeing the heroine's long hair, which wasn't the style in the future. Note the rose arbor and cute fountain.

Sylvia Thorpe: Beloved Rebel

Beloved Rebel by Sylvia Thorpe was published by Fawcett around 1978. Elinor Dane is married at 13 to Gerase Ashbourne, but doesn't meet her husband for 5 years while he's fighting with Monmouth's men against the king! Now that Monmouth is defeated, her husband is a wanted man but all she wants is to see him!

This cover by Allan Kass shows our heroine trying to help her wounded hero. I wish the couple were featured a bit more so that we could see all of the detail of her dress and his expression. This story was set around 1700, so it's interesting to see the difference in garments from the regency covers that Allan usually illustrates.

Sylvia Thorpe: Beggar on Horseback

Next in line is prolific author Sylvia Thorpe. Allan Kass illustrated quite a few of her historical romances for Fawcett. Beggar on Horseback was published around 1977 and is the story of Dorothea Stratton whose life changes for the worse after her brother gambled away their fortune. Little does she know that the injured stranger she's helping is the man who won the fortune!

Allan Kass shows our couple in front of a window where the hero is reading and the heroine comes to check on his arm. I like the Georgian style clothing and the simple but comfortable details of this room. I think the hero is wishing to spend the day outside, but can't because of his wound.